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What's the most effective way to demonstrate at a townhall? (Vanity)
Vanity | August 3, 2009 | Me

Posted on 08/03/2009 1:50:29 PM PDT by St. Louis Conservative

Is it more effective for our side to show up as a group of loud protesters? Or to show up and mix in with the crowd and then ask very tough, pointed questions that are politically difficult to answer?

Certainly, loud protests are an effective component vis a vis demonstrating against ObamaCare, but I wonder if they are best deployed at townhalls? My only worry is that it is easy for the Democrats and the media and the more "non-politically inclined" voters to dismiss loud protests.


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: healthcare; obama; teaparties; townhalls
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1 posted on 08/03/2009 1:50:29 PM PDT by St. Louis Conservative
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To: St. Louis Conservative

I’m guessing that torches and pitchforks would quickly be classified as weapons.


2 posted on 08/03/2009 1:52:05 PM PDT by cripplecreek (Seniors, the new shovel ready project under socialized medicine.)
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To: St. Louis Conservative

3 posted on 08/03/2009 1:53:09 PM PDT by BGHater (Insanity is voting for Republicans and expecting Conservatism.)
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To: St. Louis Conservative

” My only worry is that it is easy for the Democrats and the media and the more “non-politically inclined” voters to dismiss loud protests. “

Lacking a well-financed central organization (this being a true grass-roots movement), the only way we can get our message out is through the media — and the only way to get the media to even acknowledge us is to be over-the-top...

Loud and boisterous it must be....


4 posted on 08/03/2009 1:54:16 PM PDT by Uncle Ike (Rope is cheap, and there are lots of trees...)
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To: St. Louis Conservative
Didn't you know—this is a well organized effort sponsored and paid for by the huge fringe right wing machine. You should have received several emails by now telling you when, where, how, what to wear and say, etc., etc. The checks come 60 days after the event. Free hot dogs, too. ;)
5 posted on 08/03/2009 1:54:39 PM PDT by jennyjenny
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To: cripplecreek

I have started making signs with pictures of torches and pitchforks! All of my representatives in Washington are Republicans, but I am fed up with them TOO!

If they don’t grow a pair and start pushing back, then they are letting the liberals run the asylum! I am tired of that! Now is the time for CONSERVATIVES - not political ideologies!


6 posted on 08/03/2009 1:54:45 PM PDT by ExTxMarine (For whatsoe'ver their sufferings were before; that change they covet makes them suffer more. -Dryden)
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To: St. Louis Conservative

Speeches, ask them questions. There is plenty of material on FR to pick good ones from. Nothing makes a point better than to ask a question the congressional clunker can’t answer.

Small signs inside, line the streets outside with people with very large hand made signs. We tried other methods, these proved the most effective. Surround the ACORN tea shirts.

Back on April 15 we had near 3000 people line the street for blocks. It was marvelous honking good time. We had near 5000 up the road at a park location. By far the street was better, got more attention.

Remember your plan should be to get on local TV and in the face of your clunker. If that doesn’t work, prevent your clunker from getting the message(lies) out. Your sign is your message. Be polite, make a point.

Bring water.


7 posted on 08/03/2009 1:58:25 PM PDT by Tarpon (You relinquish your responsibilities, you surrender your rights.)
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To: St. Louis Conservative

Try to look like democrats, wear obama tshirts, look moonstruck and pie-eyed. They’ll call on you and then you zing them with your questions.


8 posted on 08/03/2009 1:58:29 PM PDT by 1000 silverlings (Everything that deceives also enchants: Plato)
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To: St. Louis Conservative
My recommendation is to stake out at least 3 locations. Perhaps one location could be a group (not loud and obnoxious, though).

Let the group try to make a point. If they are obstructed, then have an individual in location #2 stand up and say "Hey! That group seems to have a good point!"

If blocked again, have an individual in location #3 stand up and say "Why aren't you letting people make their point? Don't we have free speech anymore? What's happened to our government???"

9 posted on 08/03/2009 1:58:53 PM PDT by ClearCase_guy
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To: Tarpon

Even better let’s show up wearing Acorn shirts, where can we get some?


10 posted on 08/03/2009 2:00:26 PM PDT by 1000 silverlings (Everything that deceives also enchants: Plato)
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To: Tarpon

You’ve given me another idea for a protest sign.

Cap Taxes and trade congressclunkers.


11 posted on 08/03/2009 2:00:41 PM PDT by cripplecreek (Seniors, the new shovel ready project under socialized medicine.)
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To: Uncle Ike

You can always do what we did in 1994 de-foleyate, make your own radio ads. Set up a PAC, collect funds, make up ad, give to radio station, enjoy.

Of course many would see this as the nuclear option of community organizing. I recommend you do it, just for giggles. Hone those organizing skills.

I provided a critique review of a whole lot of ads in 1994. This is a great place to post ads before you buy time. Set up a blog to host off of youtube.


12 posted on 08/03/2009 2:02:28 PM PDT by Tarpon (You relinquish your responsibilities, you surrender your rights.)
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To: cripplecreek

LOL .. trade in your congressional clunker. That’s funny.


13 posted on 08/03/2009 2:03:22 PM PDT by Tarpon (You relinquish your responsibilities, you surrender your rights.)
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To: St. Louis Conservative; cripplecreek
I think the best weapon at the Townhall meeting is a camera the knowhow to upload the footage. Before the meeting Twitter might be useful in drumming up attendance. I think Free Republic can be very helpful in setting forth a series of questions or, yes, even talking points which can be handed out as flyers. Free Republic is also great for after action reports especially if accompanied by photos. Twitter can be used to alert the community or the congressman's district that interesting footage is available on YouTube.

On the whole I think we want to keep disruption to a mininum. Especially disruption for its own sake. But spontaneous and honest reaction should not be discouraged.


14 posted on 08/03/2009 2:04:20 PM PDT by nathanbedford ("Attack, repeat, attack!" Bull Halsey)
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To: ExTxMarine; cripplecreek

Yes, for now, SIGNS with pitchforks and torches on them would be the best.

Don’t take real weapons until you’re ready to take REAL WEAPONS.

The peasants took the pitchforks because the nobles disallowed them anything better. These were the best available weapons.

We’ve got better.


15 posted on 08/03/2009 2:05:15 PM PDT by MrB (Go Galt now, save Bowman for later)
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To: St. Louis Conservative

Townhall meeting!!!!! I wish the coward demorats in NJ would hold a townhall meeting. I’ve never seen an AD for them. These creeps hide in the Garden State. Things might change after Corzine is outsted. I have to bear the shame that my congressman voted FOR the climate change bill. I can’t live with the shame.


16 posted on 08/03/2009 2:05:32 PM PDT by New Jersey Realist (Congress doesn't care a damn about "we the people")
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To: St. Louis Conservative; All

Lib lady caller on Rush today was saying that
Michael Wolff reported on MSNBC that our groups
were organized, being bussed to the town halls,
(acting like the Democrats and Acorn nuts .. LOL)
and she was implying how deceptive that was for
the Pubbies.

Rush’s response: Great! ‘bout damn time!!


17 posted on 08/03/2009 2:07:05 PM PDT by STARWISE (The Art & Science Institute of Chicago Politics NE Div: now open at the White House)
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To: St. Louis Conservative

The louder the better!

Put the fear of God into their souls!

They work for us, not the other way around!


18 posted on 08/03/2009 2:07:24 PM PDT by SoConPubbie
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To: nathanbedford

Not sure about the disruption. A nice chant or two would be fine when your Congressional Clunker starts spouting their lies.

Nothing gets attention like a well time chant of modest length. Just stay under the annoy limits, so others won’t tune out.

Don’t forget to show for the 2010 election.


19 posted on 08/03/2009 2:07:57 PM PDT by Tarpon (You relinquish your responsibilities, you surrender your rights.)
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To: St. Louis Conservative

Your thinking to Much just get out there and let them Have it


20 posted on 08/03/2009 2:08:14 PM PDT by ballplayer
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